PS390 Selected Topics in Psychology:

for S2A 2012

Mission Statement: Park University provides access to a quality higher education experience that prepares a diverse community of learners to think critically, communicate effectively, demonstrate a global perspective and engage in lifelong learning and service to others.

Vision Statement: Park University, a pioneering institution of higher learning since 1875, will provide leadership in quality, innovative education for a diversity of learners who will excel in their professional and personal service to the global community.

Course Description: PS 390 Selected Topics in Psychology: Intensive study of an area of psychology selected by the instructor on the basis of student need or current interest. Variable credit: 1-3 hours. Prerequisite: PS 101 or permission of the instructor.

Educational Philosophy:My educational philosophy is based on a
collaborative combination of lectures, readings, quizzes, videos and
group work. The student will be able to critically evaluate topics in
psychology while engaging in positive discussion with peers. My
philosophy of teaching emphasizes student learning whether that learning
occurs in a face to face format or in the online environment. One of my
areas of expertise is psychology, and one of the main things that I
learned from the study of psychology is that people have different
learning styles. I have also learned as a result of study and experience
that adult learners differ in some important ways from traditional
college students. I believe that students learn best when the material
presented is timely and relevant and applicable. Adult students in
particular like to see the relevance of what they are studying. One way
that I like to do this is by including current events and cases for
discussions. Discussions are the heart and soul of effective learning.
This is the one way that students get to know one another and it gives
them an opportunity to learn from one another.

Instructor Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the major psychological constructs that are important to serial killing and mass murder

Understand the course of treatment that applies to serial killers/mass murderers as well as assessment procedures

Demonstrate high quality written and/oral communication skills through interaction with other students and the instructor utilizing correct psychological terms and concepts.

Class Assessment:

·Weekly Quiz.
There will be weekly quizzes administered throughout the semester – starting
with week 2 and ending with week 7 (for a total of 6 quizzes). Each quiz will be
made up of questions from the reading assignment for a given week. Each quiz
will be worth up to 20 points.

·Attendance and
Participation: Attendance and participation is required for class and will be
worth up to 50 points.

·Final. A Final
will be administered covering the readings from the entire semester
(comprehensive). The final will be worth up to 100 points.

·Core
Assessment. 6-8
page paper minimum worth 100 points. See
directions below on the core assessment. The core assessment is due in
Week 7 on Sunday by 11:59 pm, and is to be submitted to the dropbox.

Each student
will select 1 serial killer or mass murderer and will write a paper that
analyzes the person in terms of the information presented in class. Each
person will be described in terms of their likely psychological
disorder as well as their development as it pertains to the development
of their
propensity to kill. Students will prescribe a course of treatment
that could have been undertaken before the killing commenced (often
times there
are a series of warning signs before killing commences). Note any
potential
shortcomings with possible treatment plans.

Possible selections include, but
are not limited to:

·Columbine High
School Massacre

·Mark Barton

·Virginia Tech

·The Green River Killer

·Josef Mengele

·Jeffrey
Dahmer

·Ted Bundy

·Westley Allan
Dodd

·Aileen
Wuornos

These people
have been selected because there is a great deal of video and written material
regarding their crimes available as well as numerous other written documents and
interviews. You may seek permission to study a person who is not
on the list, as there are many more that could be worthy subjects.

Papers
should be double-spaced, 12-point font, and in APA style. The paper will be a minimum
of 6-8 pages. The paper should include at least six
references. The paper is worth 100 points.

Class Assessment:

Assessment

Week Due

Pts

Total Pts

Participation/Attendance

all 8

50

Quizzes

2,3,4,5,6,7

20

120

Final Exam

8

100

100

Core Assessment Paper

7

100

100

Total

370

Grading:

Grading:

Points

Grade

370 -
333

A

332 -
296

B

295
- 259

C

258
- 222

D

below
222

F

Late Submission of Course Materials:You need to take your quizzes in the week they are
open. You should make every attempt to take the quiz as soon as possible after
it opens, as I will not allow anyone to take the quiz after it has closed. They
are open for 7 days. Technical problems are not an excuse, and if you have
difficulties with e-companion, you should contact the help desk.

If your paper is turned in late, a 10 point penalty will be assessed (this if
you earn a 90 and it was turned in late, your grade will be lowered 10 points
to 80). You receive your paper assignment with the syllabus in the first class,
and I recommend that you start considering topics from week 1. Your paper must
be uploaded to the drop-box in the e-companion shell. If it is not, a 5 point
penalty will result.

As far as discussion and participation are concerned, you must attend class
regularly and be on time. Additionally, you are expected to participate
appropriately. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain the
notes and materials from a classmate. I do not provide lecture notes to
students who miss.

Classroom Rules of Conduct:

I expect that the interactions and
communications in this class will be civil and professional.

Be Respectful
(both inside and outside of the actual classroom): As a student in this
class, you should know upfront that you will encounter new ideas, topics,
images and discussions, which may challenge your worldview. Some
students may find this information personally offensive, uncomfortable,
distasteful, or upsetting. Because the field of psychology addresses
positive, neutral and negative aspects of human and animal behavior, we will
discuss a broad range of topics that may not be pleasant for
everyone. Please be respectful to your classmates and your
instructor(s). Debates on relevant issues are encouraged, however no
one should engage in personal attacks inside or outside of the classroom.

Derogatory
language, profanity, and personal attacks are unacceptable. I have
noticed in recent years that people are becoming more and more uncivil towards
one another. Because this class needs to be a participatory community if
students are to fulfill their potential for learning, people who disrupt the
community by their words or actions will be sanctioned. Rude, sarcastic,
obscene, or disrespectful speech and disruptive behavior have a negative impact
on everyone's learning. If you find yourself unable to adhere to these
guidelines, you will be asked to leave the classroom and such behaviors will be
documented and addressed as per the student handbook guidelines.

I have noticed that when one student
asks a question or makes a comment, there is a tendency for others to start
side conversations. When everyone is talking, no one can really hear. You might
be surprised at what you can learn, even if the question or comment does not
seem immediately relevant to you. If you have a question or comment,
please raise your hand and then speak once you are acknowledged. I cannot
stress enough that you will all learn more if only one person at a time speaks.

There is no recording of any kind
allowed in my courses.

Please do not bring a full meal to
class. Small snacks and drinks are acceptable as long as you clean up after
yourself and do not disturb others.

Please do not engage in personal
hygiene tasks in the classroom.

Please do not waste class time
challenging quiz questions. If you have a concern about a question, please
email me or see me in my office during office hours. Please realize that the
quizzes are used to assist you in your learning, and there are no intentional
"trick" questions. If there is a legitimate error in the construction
of the question, then a regrade may be possible.

Please keep in mind that you are
responsible for knowing when items are due (per the syllabus) and you are also
responsible for obtaining any information you need (e.g. APA formatting) from
the librarian or from internet resources. We cannot and should not spend
limited class time on these matters. You will get more from the course if you
learn how to take care of these matters yourself.

Course Topic/Dates/Assignments:Course Topic/Dates/Assignments:

Week
1

Introduction to the Psychological
Issues Associated with Serial Killing and Mass Murder

Week
2

Antisocial
Personality Disorder and Serial Killing

Week
3

Insanity & Psychopathy

Week
4

Alcohol
and Drug Abuse and Serial Killing

Week
5

Schizophrenia and
Killing

Week
6

Sexual
Predators, Paraphilia and Murder

Week
7

Mood
Disorders and Serial Killing

Week
8

Female
Serial Killers

Academic Honesty:Academic integrity is the foundation of the academic community. Because each student has the primary responsibility for being academically honest, students are advised to read and understand all sections of this policy relating to standards of conduct and academic life. Park University students and faculty members are encouraged to take advantage of the University resources available for learning about academic honesty (www.park.edu/current or http://www.park.edu/faculty/).from Park University 2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog Page 93

Plagiarism:Plagiarism involves the use of quotations without quotation marks, the use of quotations without indication of the source, the use of another's idea without acknowledging the source, the submission of a paper, laboratory report, project, or class assignment (any portion of such) prepared by another person, or incorrect paraphrasing. from Park University 2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog Page 93

The instructor may excuse absences for valid reasons, but missed work must be made up within the semester/term of enrollment.

Work missed through unexcused absences must also be made up within the semester/term of enrollment, but unexcused absences may carry further penalties.

In the event of two consecutive weeks of unexcused absences in a semester/term of enrollment, the student will be administratively withdrawn, resulting in a grade of "F".

A "Contract for Incomplete" will not be issued to a student who has unexcused or excessive absences recorded for a course.

Students receiving Military Tuition Assistance or Veterans Administration educational benefits must not exceed three unexcused absences in the semester/term of enrollment. Excessive absences will be reported to the appropriate agency and may result in a monetary penalty to the student.

Report of a "F" grade (attendance or academic) resulting from excessive absence for those students who are receiving financial assistance from agencies not mentioned in item 5 above will be reported to the appropriate agency.

Disability Guidelines:Park University is committed to meeting the needs of all students that meet the criteria for special assistance. These guidelines are designed to supply directions to students concerning the information necessary to accomplish this goal. It is Park University's policy to comply fully with federal and state law, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, regarding students with disabilities. In the case of any inconsistency between these guidelines and federal and/or state law, the provisions of the law will apply. Additional information concerning Park University's policies and procedures related to disability can be found on the Park University web page: http://www.park.edu/disability .

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